Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf Study Guide

Edward Albee: A Brief Biography

Edward Albee (1928-2016) was a prominent American playwright known for his sharp, incisive dialogue and exploration of complex social and psychological themes. Born in Washington, D.C., and adopted by a wealthy family, Albee had a tumultuous childhood and was expelled from several schools. He began his career in the theater with one-act plays like "The Zoo Story" (1959), which quickly garnered attention for its raw and confrontational style. Albee's work often delved into the darker aspects of human relationships and society, earning him multiple prestigious awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. His contributions significantly shaped American theater, and he is celebrated as one of the leading dramatists of the 20th century.

Historical and Literary Context of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" premiered on Broadway in 1962 and quickly became one of Albee's most famous and controversial works. The play is set in the early 1960s, a time marked by social upheaval and the questioning of traditional values in the United States. The civil rights movement, the Cold War, and the burgeoning counterculture all contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and change.

Literarily, the play is a scathing critique of the idealized American family and the illusions people maintain to protect themselves from harsh realities. It follows the volatile relationship of George and Martha, a middle-aged couple who invite a younger couple over for drinks, leading to a night of emotional games and revelations.

Albee's play is often associated with the Theatre of the Absurd, a movement characterized by its focus on existentialism and the absurdity of human existence. The title itself is a play on the Disney song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" and the name of the famous British writer Virginia Woolf, suggesting a fear of facing harsh truths and realities.

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" challenged the era's conventional theater with its raw emotional intensity and unflinching portrayal of marital strife, solidifying Albee's reputation as a master of modern American drama. The play's success and its critical acclaim, including multiple Tony Awards, underscored its impact on both audiences and the theatrical landscape.

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